At a glance

Travel by private air-conditioned bus while in India and private non air-conditioned bus in Nepal

Additional travel by train

Some long drives

Explore sacred cities and temples

To travel between Delhi and Kathmandu, from the bustling cities of the Indian plains to the peace and tranquillity of the highest mountains on Earth, is one of the most beautiful and fascinating journeys in Asia. For culture, the Taj Mahal, 'the Pink City' of Jaipur, the holy city of Varanasi or the Buddhist Stupas of Kathmandu may be the highlights. For nature, spotting rhino in Chitwan National Park or the first view of the mighty Himalayas will provide lasting memories.

Itinerary (Flight inclusive)

The group flight will arrive into Delhi in the morning and we will transfer to our hotel. Those who have made their own flight arrangements will join us at the hotel during the day. You are free today to explore Delhi and rest after your flight; rooms may not be available until noon but it is often earlier than this.See more images and videos

3Day 3Visit Humayun's Tomb and New Delhi; afternoon drive to Jaipur.

After breakfast we will have a tour of the capital. In Old Delhi we visit Jama Masjid (India's largest mosque) and in New Delhi we see the fine colonial buildings. Built by the British Raj in the early years of this century and set in spacious tree-lined boulevards these now house various Indian governmental departments. We then visit the tomb of Humayun, one of the earlier Moghul Emperors. In the afternoon we drive to the Pink City of Jaipur: this drive will take approximately 5 to 6 hours.See more images and videos

4Day 4Full day sightseeing including City Palace and Amber Fort; evening free.

Today we have a full day to explore Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and one of the most attractive and colourful cities in India. Built in the late 18th century, it is a planned city of broad avenues built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. In the centre of Jaipur is the City Palace, formerly the residence of the Maharaja it is now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. A few miles from the main city is the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a lake where elephants bathe. The imposing hilltop fort contains large courtyards and interiors with fine decorations including inlaid alabaster panels and a Chamber of Mirrors. We can walk up the hill through the massive gateway to the courtyard. Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leatherwear etc.See more images and videos

5Day 5Drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri.

We begin the day by driving to Agra via the deserted ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri. Formally the capital of the Mughal Empire, this wonderfully preserved 'ghost town' was constructed by Emperor Akbar between 1570 and 1585 and reflects his ideals in art, religion and architecture. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold ten thousand worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience are all of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today. The site is one of the most atmospheric in northern India and its position on a ridge overlooking the modern village below, and its wonderful state of preservation provide us with a taste of this city's majestic past.See more images and videos

6Day 6Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal and later visit the Red Fort; overnight train to Varanasi.

A very early start to see the incredible spectacle of the sunrise over the Taj. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, built the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail. Within striking distance is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, third of the Moghul Emperors, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It is here that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb. Agra also offers a wide variety of handicrafts including jewellery, inlaid and carved marble, carpets and clothes and there should be time for some shopping. In the late afternoon we transfer to Tundla, 35km from Agra, where we board the overnight train to Varanasi.See more images and videos

7Day 7Arrive Varanasi; afternoon free or optional visit to Sarnath ruins, the site of Buddha's first sermon.

We arrive in Varanasi in the morning and transfer to the hotel (rooms may not be available until noon however efforts are made to make it earlier than this). The afternoon is then free to explore this incredible city and its winding streets, ghats and mystical temples or visit the nearby Sarnath Temple, where the Buddha gave his first sermon (optional).See more images and videos

Varanasi, situated on the River Ganges, is one of the most holy cities in India and stands at the centre of the Hindu Universe. As such, the city lives and breathes Hinduism: there are thousands of pilgrims, wandering holy men (Sadhus), religious leaders and casual visitors. It is a city to get immersed in by exploring its maze of narrow lanes, the many temples and watch the Hindu ceremonies that occur around the clock. Just before dawn, we take a boat out on the Ganges to witness the extraordinary spectacle on the ghats, the steps leading down to the river. Every day thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to these three miles of riverbank to immerse themselves in the waters of the holy Ganges. In the evening you can witness the aarti ceremony from the banks of the river.

We board our private bus and make an early departure for Nepal. It's a spectacular drive across the northern plains, passing through a few towns and lots of pretty Indian villages. At the Indian border we leave our bus and walk across through customs and immigration to Nepal (approx 500 metres). Once in Nepal, we enter the Terai, the narrow plain running along the southern breadth of the country. We have a short drive (approx 1hour) to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, where we spend the night. Total driving time approx. 12 hrs.See more images and videos

10Day 10To Chitwan National Park.

Early this morning there is a short, optional rickshaw ride around the Lumbini gardens. Buddha was born here and the area is being developed into a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world. Travelling east and parallel to the mountains, we reach Chitwan (approx. 4 hour drive), where we spend two nights. The park, with its jungle and thick forest, was the former royal hunting ground and was set-aside as a conservation area in 1973.
The park and the surrounding forest covers an area of 923 square kilometres of the terai and affords excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Among the larger animals, you have an excellent chance of seeing the Indian one horned rhino, Sambar and Chital deer, guar, langur and Rhesus monkeys, mongoose, jackal, otter and crocodile. The more elusive animals include tiger, leopard, leopard cat, Sloth bear and Indian bison. Over 500 species of birds have been recorded in this area.
Wildlife activities are managed and escorted by experienced naturalists and shikharis; included in your stay is a jeep safari and a dug out canoe excursion. Other trips such as a village tour and birdwatching outings can be organised depending on individual interests.See more images and videos

Today, our journey to Pokhara is only 140km but will take 4-5 hours. We follow the gorge of the Narayani River and soon we are in the foothills of the Himalaya. The scenery changes dramatically from the forests and farmlands of the Terai to steep terraced hills, and as we get closer to Pokhara we begin to see the formidable Annapurna Range. Set at only 1,000m amongst semi-tropical plants and with a delightfully warm climate, it is actually much closer to the main Himalayan peaks than Kathmandu. Machhapuchhare, the 'Fishtail Peak', dominates the skyline especially in the clear morning air. We stay in a simple hotel near to Lake Phewa, with a wide choice of restaurants and other facilities close by.See more images and videos

13Day 13Sunrise over mountains; free day to explore or daywalk to Sarankot.

We can either relax by or on the beautiful lake in Pokhara, or the more energetic can hike into the surrounding hills for even better views of the peaks. There are many wonderful day walks in and around the Pokhara valley, one of the best being to drive up to the remains of a fort at Sarankot, the hill directly overlooking the lake and then walk back to Pokhara. An early morning start is required to guarantee the clearest view, but once there, the whole Annapurna range can be seen with virtually no intervening hills. This is one of the best of all viewpoints for Machhapuchhare, most people's favourite mountain in the region. For many though, Pokhara is a place to relax by either renting a rowboat or bicycle for a few hours and exploring the lake and its shoreline at a leisurely pace.See more images and videos

14Day 14To Kathmandu, following Marsyangdi and Trisuli river valleys.

We leave early for the long drive to Kathmandu, along the Chinese-built road running parallel to the main Himalayan range. The distance is only 200km but it is a slow climb through the mountains and the journey will take most of the day (7 - 8 hours). The views, however, are stunning as we follow the Marsyangdi and Trisuli rivers, passing numerous villages and terraces stretching thousands of feet up the hillside. We arrive in Kathmandu in the late afternoon and check into our centrally located hotel.

15Day 15Optional Everest flight; visit Pashupatinath and Bodnath; rest of the day free to explore.

We have today to explore Kathmandu and the valley. In the early morning there is the opportunity to take a scenic flight to see Mount Everest (this can be booked and paid for on arrival in Kathmandu; see 'Extra Expenses and Spending Money' section below re costs). Today there will be a half-day sightseeing tour visiting Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple in the valley, and Bodnath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world. The rest of the time is free for individual exploration of Kathmandu. You may like to visit the Durbar Square of Kathmandu with its old Royal Palace and intricately carved temples, or Swayambhunath, the 'monkey temple', set on a hill overlooking the city.
Kathmandu also offers the most wonderful and varied opportunities for souvenir shopping: clothes, trinkets, Tibetan and Nepalese handicrafts and superb bookshops. It also has a wide variety of restaurants serving some of the best food from the sub-continent and you can also find wonderful pizzas and apple pies.See more images and videos

16Day 16Fly to London

Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for the airport this morning for the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after check-out from the hotel.
See more images and videos

Your images

Guided Group

This is a small group guided holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are healthy, enjoy the outdoors and want a relaxing trip. No experience is required.

What's included

What's included

All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners

All accommodation (see below)

All transport and listed activities

Tour leader throughout

Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

What's not included

Travel insurance

Single accommodation (available on request from GBP360) excludes sleeper train

Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation details

Hotels and Lodges

We have 11 nights hotels and 2 nights lodge, all en suite, as well as 1 night on a sleeper train. The hotels we use are of a mixture of standard and comfortable hotels. In Jaipur and Varanasi we stay in Heritage Hotels. In Kathmandu we stay in a hotel close to the centre, usually the Royal Singi Hotel. In Chitwan we stay in a comfortable jungle lodge in twin-bedded huts. All rooms have en suite bathrooms.

Single accommodation available on request from GBP360 (excludes sleeper train)

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa
Visas are required if you are British and for most other nationalities. For UK residents full details of the visa process can be found here http://www.exodus.co.uk/india-visa-info other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Some of our India trips spend time at altitude. In regions over approx. 2000m, there is low to no risk of mosquito-borne diseases. For trips going to altitudes of over 3000m there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Our itineraries are designed to enable everyone to acclimatise to these altitudes, but you should be aware that it is still possible for you to be affected. Please see the TRIP NOTES for further information. Holiday style

Activity Level: 1 (Leisurely)
This is not a demanding tour physically, but some days can be particularly long, such as the drives between Delhi and Jaipur (approx. 5-6 hours), Jaipur and Agra (approx. 5.5 hours), Varanasi and Lumbini (approx. 12 hours), and Pokhara to Kathmandu (approx. 7-8 hours). The stunning scenery, however, makes the drives enjoyable. Like the people of Nepal and India, we will have some early starts to take advantage of the daylight. Most of the roads are in fairly good condition but you should be prepared for a few rougher sections. The trains are a fun way to travel and meet Indian people, although delays are always possible.
Please note that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI’s schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn our clients of when work will be taking place.

Holi and Diwali Festivals: Some departures will be in India during the festivals of Holi and Diwali - these are all marked on the website. These are great festivals to witness and some minor itinerary alterations may be made locally in order to make the most of these occasions.

Eating & drinking

The trip is on a bed and breakfast basis, with full board in Chitwan. You should allow £15 (approx. US$24) per day for other meals. You can eat out very cheaply in India and Nepal, but if you go to the most expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In most of the towns there is a good choice between Indian, Chinese and Western style food. If you are a vegetarian India and Nepal are probably two of the best destinations you can visit. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approximately £3 (approx. US$4.80). Bottled water is widely available. Where meals are not supplied, our group leaders always encourage people to try local restaurants and street food vendors. They can make recommendations which will help boost small businesses and celebrate local specialties. In India, we can even see how the food is made, for example, masala chai (tea), samosa (mashed potato snacks), jalebe (Indian doughnuts), lassi (yoghurt drink).

Trip notes

Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want
to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.

Weather & seasonality

During October/November and February/March/April the days are normally warm to hot and nights cool or mild. Humidity is very low and little or no rain can be expected. In March, April and October it can get very hot during the day. Evenings in Delhi and Kathmandu can be surprisingly cool. It gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings in December and January and warm cloths are essential. Fog is also a real possibility during this period. Please note that night time temperatures in Kathmandu can be very cold and only a little above freezing in December and January.

Reviews & community

To be honest I didn't know what to expect from this trip. My wife was a little concerned about going to India but the itinerary looked so good that she was persuaded. No need to worry, from our arrival in Delhi to our departure from Kathmandu we were looked after, guided, kept informed and treated to some amazing sights, sounds and food. This was an incredibly informative, entertaining and exciting journey. We loved it!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

This question needs pluralising! It is impossible (and unfair) to choose a single inspirational moment, there are so many. Taj Mahal, flight to Everest, The evening Aarti ceremony in Varanasi viewed from a boat on the bank of the Ganges were truly spectacular and quite moving moments. So were the village visit, sunrise over the Annapurna’s, forts, mosques, temples and bus rides. However, on our first evening waiting to cross a busy road in Delhi and along strolls an elephant was an unexpected moment I won’t forget.

What did you think of your group leader?

Jatin was excellent. If you had a problem, a question, a special request or just wanted to chat about life in general he was your man. He even found an Iphone screwdriver for me so I could repair my phone, now that is service. He had a vast knowledge about the history, wild life and culture of both India and Nepal. Without his input we would have had a good trip, with it we had a smooth, well informed excellent trip. I must not forget to say thanks also to Gujraj who assisted Jatin for the first few days. You will be in safe hands with both guides. I would like to say a big thank you to both men.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Go with an open mind. India is smelly, dirty, polluted, chaotic and overcrowded. It is a developing country after all. However you must mix all this with the incredible cultures, places of worship, sights of incredible architecture (manmade and natural) and the warm, friendly, welcoming people you will meet along the way. If you do you will have an unforgettable experience.

Take along all the hand sanitiser you can, together with the usual stomach medicines. The biggest problem on our trip was the common cold which worked its way through most of our group over the two weeks. We only had one upset stomach. This may be due to the choice of venues for meals, our copious use of the hand sanitiser, or just luck!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is an Exodus trip, it is run to a budget. It is our third trip with the company. We have always had excellent guides, comfortable hotels, early mornings and long journeys often over poor roads. That is all part of the experience. You should expect this and accept that it is just one part of what will be an amazing, unforgettable journey. If you want more comfort, higher prices and more time to spend in your hotel don’t use Exodus. For long, full, eventful and informative days that maximise your time in the country go with his company. We loved it! Chile next!

If you like sitting in traffic jams then this is the trip for you! It's possible to enjoy pollution choking traffic jams in 4 Indian cities, plus several cities in Nepal. The destinations, when you get to them, are often stunning and very memorable, but you will have to endure many long hours of travelling, and many choking traffic jams, to get to them. The trip was enjoyable but not, in my opinion, "leisurely" in terms of the pace of the trip, which involves many early starts and very long days of travelling on, at times, very poor bumpy roads. The scenery in Nepal is, however, simply stunning, which does lessen the pain of the journey somewhat. If you can put up with the travelling and the congestion and pollution, then you will find this trip to be rewarding.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

I particularly enjoyed the Hindu festival on the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi, which was incredibly atmospheric.

The impromptu visit to a Rajasthani village was also a real treat and a highlight of the trip.

What did you think of your group leader?

The group leader was good and worked very hard throughout the trip.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take your diarrhea pills, plenty of toilet paper, and a gas mask.

ipod, ipad, Kindle, and all your other gadgets are also essential as you'll need plenty of entertainment on the very long journeys and while sitting in the interminable traffic jams.

The overnight train journey was an experience! Our train was 3 hours delayed and we had to sit on the rat infested train platform trying to stop the rats from gnawing at our luggage. No sleeping bag required though as they do give you a sheet and a blanket on the train, which I found to be sufficient.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The bus in Nepal was rather too small and cramped for the very long journeys. Thanks goodness it did have air conditioning, otherwise it would have been unbearable.

Pokhara was my favourite destination of the trip. A quirky relaxed place with spectacular scenery.

Fantastic trip. It was a holiday of two halves, experiencing the brilliant chaos of India followed by the peace and natural beauty of Nepal. Some amazing temples and brilliant sights. My highlight was Varanasi, the tuktuk through the streets heading down to the Ganges was like an outtake from Mario Kart, the crowds and scenes were amazing. There's loads to do in Pokhara, you can go paragliding, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping or just go for a relaxed walk around the lake. I also highly recommend the Everest flight! Every day was an adventure and the food...thumbs up! I was also fortunate to have a fantastic tour group to share it all with, highly recommend.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Seeing the Taj Mahal will exceed your expectations, photos just can't do it justice!

What did you think of your group leader?

Ajay was brilliant, he looked after us well. We felt safe, entertained and well informed throughout. It was great knowing he was there to take care of everything.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

There are some long (and sometimes very bumpy) coach journeys involved so make sure you've got your playlists organised. Don't let this put you off though, the distances travelled are well worth it.

Make sure you've got spare batteries for your camera as well because you'll want to capture everything!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I skipped the elephant safari in Chitwan as I wasn't comfortable with how the elephants were treated. Perhaps I was being overly cautious but I didn't like what I saw and read at the breeding centre. I think a bit more education on how the elephants are used and how they are looked after would have helped. I should have done some research before I booked the trip as the elephant safari was included rather than optional, so whether I took part or not in that activity, I had already contributed to it. I'd suggest to Exodus that this be made optional in the future so people can make the choice once they see it close up.

Again, I'm probably just over cautious and I don't want to put anyone off taking part unnecessarily but more education on these animals would have really helped.

Exodus Response

We would like to thank Michael for his review and we are pleased to hear that he had a fantastic trip. We decided to cease offering elephant rides on our adventures as of January 2015. Chitwan National Park was, however, an exception as elephant riding for conservation purposes, rather than pure recreational purposes, remains a grey area. We are currently looking into our policy regarding Chitwan. Please follow this link for more information: https://www.exodus.co.uk/responsible-travel/elephant-riding
Louise Ungless - Product Manager for India

Questions about your trip

Pick your question

I have some free time in Kathmandu?

My personal favourite is the Pashupatinath temple, to the north east of Kathmandu city centre. You know those photos you’ve seen of the sadhus or holy men, with the long dreadlocks and ash covered bodies? Well this is where most of them hang out!

Regarded as one of the holiest temples of Lord Shiva, it’s so old that nobody is certain when it was founded. Like Varanasi in India, cremation pyres line the banks of the Bagmati river and it’s one of the most fascinating places in the Kathmandu valley to people watch.

Joanna Zubr - Customer Operations

What is the overnight train like?

The overnight trains in India are nothing if not an experience! You will normally be booked in 2-Tier sleeper A/C, although this can vary depending on how busy they are. All seats are pre-allocated at the time the tickets are issued, meaning that we are not able to guarantee the whole group are together on the train but your leader will manage this as best as possible and will always check on you during the journey. You could end up sitting beside a Mumbai businessman or a sadhu on pilgrimage, it can be pot luck. There is usually a stream of friendly hawkers, chai boys and fascinating faces passing through at all hours, which makes for a memorable experience and one you won't forget!

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Will the hotels have towels?

The hotels you stay at will all be good quality, with en suite facilities. As such, towels are usually provided but it's always a good idea to pack a small emergency one in the end of your bag as well, just in case. You may have an odd night where the standard is slightly lower but this will usually be due to where you are and, as such, limited by what is available.

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

Can I catch a Bollywood movie?!

Fancy a night out in India just like the locals? Head to a Bollywood movie and join the local in an evening packed with entertainment. The Bollywood masala movies are a mixture of dance, drama and musical with a break in between as most of these are lengthy 3 hours movies. This gives you the option to leave the theatre should you want to do that! The songs and dances make it like a 60’s musical where you could have the whole locals singing and dancing to the tune. Some movies become hits only because of these. Movie theatres that you may want to visit are; Raj Mandir in Jaipur, Odeon in Canaught Place, New Delhi, Filmistan, Karol Bagh in New Delhi - but all cities have theatres. A word of warning- try to avoid the rush when entering and exiting the theatre and the crowded area and keep valuables with close to you zipped at all times and enjoy the show.

Niraj Chand Shrestha - Customer Operations

Any good shopping tips for India?

Where do you start?! Half the joy of shopping in India is the sheer scale of what's on offer, from upscale boutiques in New Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta to the crowded and sweaty markets of pretty much any town or village you come to. Handicrafts, art, leather goods, spices, hand carved statues, silk, the list goes on - all the way to cheap knock offs of western brands!

Remember, outside of the proper shops, haggling is the key but don't waste your time trying to split the difference over a few pence - the best result is when everyone comes away happy!

Charlotte Taylor - India Operations

What is the best way to take money to India?

Any time I go out, I normally just take sterling cash which, as long as you excercise the normal degree of common sense you would at home, is safe and easy. The India rupee is a closed currency, meaning you can only get it upon arrival in the country. There are exchange facilities at all arrival airports, and ATMs are available pretty much everywhere as well in case you need to top up along the way.

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

What kind of food should I expect around the Indian subcontinent?

There is a real mix available and you won't be disappointed! The local cuisine is predominantly vegetarian, with lots of rice. You can enjoy everything from traditional spicy curries to stalls selling tasty sweets and deserts and even right the way to western style grub, if it all gets a bit too much. Vegetarians and 'non-spicy' food people are easily catered for, and the leader will make sure a wide range of dishes are ordered for each meal.

Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations

Do you have any advice about malaria and rabies?

Unfortunately we are not qualified to answer all your questions in regards to travel health, so we strongly recommend you contact your GP or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information.

Nomad Travel Clinics are experts in preparing people for travel, providing advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and staying healthy whilst overseas. We have arranged a special 10% discount for Exodus passengers on any vaccinations that you may require! Take along your Nomad discount card, sent with your confirmation pack, or call Exodus for your special discount code.Visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/exodus for further information.

I have some free time in Delhi - what should I see?

A definite place to visit when you have an extra day in Delhi is a trip to the new Akshardham Temple. Situated on the outskirts of New Delhi in the embankment of River Yamuna, this sprawling Swaminarayan Akshardham spreads over 100 acres of land and is renowned for its carved pillars, water fountains and 20,000 statues. Made from white marble and pink stone this new temple was only completed in 2005 which makes it less well known by Western tourists or the guide books. A visit to the temple is the perfect way to explore the amazing world of Indian culture and get a unique view of the Hindu religion. Other ‘must see’ places are the Red Fort, Humayum’s Tomb (a forerunner to the Taj Mahal), Qutab Minar, Tuqulaquabad, Purana Quila.The National Museum is very interesting as is the Gandhi Smriti, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

- Customer Operations

I've heard the 'Delhi Belly' rumours in India -will this be a problem?

India has delicious food to cater for all preferences but, like anywhere in the world, hygiene is important. Keeping your hands well washed before eating, staying as hydrated as possible and sticking to bottled water is the best protection against an upset tum. Otherwise, mashed potato is apparently a good cure!

Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations

Is it possible to get visas upon arrival?

No. Indian visas must be pre-arranged in advance. Check the Indian embassy website for details.

Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email [email protected] and they will get the answers you need!

How do I join the Departure Lounge (forum) in the Exodus Community?

To view the Forums, including the Departure Lounge, you do not need to be member of the Exodus Community, simply click on the Community link at the top of every page and read the posts in their respective sections by entering the Departure Lounge, or one of the other options in the list on the page.

To join in a discussion, if already a member, please sign in to your Exodus website account (not related to booking reservations) to contribute to the Forum. If you are not a member of the Exodus Community, you can register by clicking the 'Sign in' at the top of every webpage and select ‘Register’ within the drop down panel.

When viewing the Forum area of the website, as you scroll through the 'Rooms' which are set out by 'travel months' during the current year within the Departure Lounge. You can then select the 'month' of intended travel, then filter the list of trips that have already been created by fellow travellers to see if your trip is listed. If the trip you are travelling on is not in the list, you can start the process by clicking on the 'Post new forum topic' link above the list on the same page. If you do see your trip within the list, select it to view the 'discussion' by your fellow travellers and you can join in by completing the 'Post your comment' section below the discussion thread.

Please note: there might be slight a delay before your post/comment appears as intended because we moderate what is published on the website.

We hope you enjoy using the Departure Lounge to meet your fellow travellers and continue to contribute right up to the start of your journey with Exodus.

How do I compare trips for my next adventure?

To compare trips for consideration, you can add them to your 'Shortlist'.

During your search for your next adventure you can save 'holidays' to your Shortlist and compare trips. For this to work correctly, you must be signed in during your 'user session'; i.e. during your time on the Exodus website. These will then be saved in your account (don't have an Exodus website account?Sign up now!).

The Shortlist menu item (top of every page) only appears when holidays are added. Adding holidays can be done by clicking on the 'Add to shortlist' with the 'Heart' symbol on any 'Holiday' page above the 'At a Glance' section, or in the 'holiday' panels within Search Results pages, or in the 'You might also like...' section at the foot of the trip page viewed. The selected holidays will be saved into your account for consideration and can be removed there, as well as from the 'compare trips' page from the menu link located at the top of every page.

Dates & prices

Flight Inclusive prices include return flights from a London airport & transfers at your destination. If you wish to book your own flights independently, then please select the ‘Excluding Flights’ tab above. For more information on group flights & transfers, please see Trip Notes

Responsible travel

We realise that every holiday destination is also
someone else's home and that we should leave places as we found them. Find out
more about how we incorporate
responsible travel into our adventure and activity holidays, and how you
can help by donating to one of our
responsible travel projects